Frank is waiting for Alice at the bottom of the staircase, outside of the Great Hall. He's holding a basket in his hands.
Alice gives him a suspicious look. "When you asked me on a date, I thought we were going to Hogsmeade," she says.
He grins. "Everyone goes to Hogsmeade for dates. How boring is that? I thought we could do something different."
"I'm going to guess that it has to do with the basket," Alice says, nodding towards it.
He offers her his arm. "You would be correct. But you have to follow to see. I'm not telling what it is."
Alice spends the journey making the most outrageous suggestions as to what Frank has in store. He just laughs at every suggestion. Alice likes the sound of Frank's laugh. It's cold outside but the snow falls isn't heavy enough to keep them inside. Alice wraps her scarf around her neck tighter and doesn't complain.
Then he stops in a clearing beside the lake that is unseen from the castle. He places the basket on the ground and digs through it. He produces a blanket that he lays out neatly. He pulls out a jar of fire next, followed by food and Pumpkin Juice.
Alice sits down, thankfully for the heat. "How did you get food?"
Frank looks up at her with bright amber eyes. "You don't spend seven years with the likes of James, Sirius, Remus and Peter without picking up a few things," he says with a wink.
"You know where the kitchen is?" she asks.
He hums in agreement. When he's finished emptying the basket, he takes a seat, and offers her custard tart. "The House Elves like being given tasks. They were very happy to pack a picnic."
"And this spot?" she asks as she takes the treat.
She watches as he glances around fondly, "I found this in my second year. It's a nice place to come when you don't want to study in the library."
"Aren't you banned from the library?" She raises an eyebrow as she pours Pumpkin Juice into a glass.
He gives her indignant look and huffs. "I maintain that it was entirely James and Sirius' faults. Madam Pince decided I was guilty by association and banned us all."
Alice snorts. She pats his arm. "Keep telling yourself that. But this is a beautiful place." She glances out at the lake that is lapping at the shore quietly. She can barely make out the shadows of Hogsmeade village from here. She's sure if she looks behind her, she could make out the outline of the castle as well. But they are well hidden from others' views.
"Yeah, it is," he agrees. "I've been waiting to share this with someone. Someone special."
Alice feels her cheeks burn as she ducks her head. "I'm sure there has been plenty of people that you've shared this place with."
When Frank doesn't deny this, Alice looks up. Frank is smiling at her. "None until you."
"Smooth talker."
He leans over and tucks a stray piece of blonde hair behind her ear. "I've been practicing that," he admits.
She grins. "How long did you practice for?"
"Weeks," he answers. "Did it work?"
She tips her head back, laughing loudly. "I do believe it did," she says. "Thank you for sharing this with me."